The Lamest Excuse for N-Word Usage

So a friend of mine send me this link right here:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3382122&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

So I'm reading this piece and it appears that Roger Williams University chairman Ralph Papitto, was in a board meeting and became frustrated at the pressures of increasing the diversity of the university's Board. At first I was like: yeah, there we go with another white person who let what was on his mind pass his mouth. But then I read some more and stumbled on this:

He said he had never used the term before.

"The first time I heard it was on television and then rap music or something," Papitto told WPRO.

HOLD. THA. HELL. UP.

What 80 year old in the United States has learned of the "N-word" from Rap music? Is this some kind of joke. It's bad enough he let the mental chains loose. Now he wants to do an Imus and put that on Hip Hop? Unless this cat is a regular viewer of uncensored Rap concerts he ain't heard a single utterance of the N-WORD on the public airwaves 'cause the FCC is NOT having that. But that is entirely besides the point. This "gentleman" has been on the board of this school for 40 years. It is 2007 that means this cat has been sitting on this board since 1967, and he first heard the "N-word" in a rap song?

Exactly what kind of fool does he take me for?

When I was in elementary school (Corlears) I was called an "N-word" to my face by a 3rd grader. That was the 70's. If a 3rd grader knew the word then no way, no how does Papitto get to say he got it "recently" off of TV.

At least be a man about the issue and admit that the word has been floating in your head for at least 40 years.